Plethysmographic Measurement of Venous Flow Resistance and Venous Capacity in Humans with Primary Lymphoedema

Abstract

Venous flow resistance ( Rv) and venous capacity ( C10) was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography in patients with primary lympoedema of the legs. In the calf, Rv was significantly higher than normal and increased with the clinical severity of the oedema, while C10 was significantly lower than normal. Potential causes are discussed. No indications were found that the specificity of Rv, when used as a diagnostic criterion for recent deep vein thrombosis, is influenced by primary lymphoedema.